EXCLUSIVE:Molly Shannon and Emily Dickinson? Seems like an oxymoron, yet Shannon just starred in the low-budget indie feature for writer-director Madeleine Olnek (The Foxy Merkins). The comedy-period piece about famed poet Dickinson has been described as kind of an “experimental” piece with Shannon taking the title role as an adult Emily and relative newcomer Dana Melanie playing Young Emily. The title and plot are being kept under wraps, but filming is all but wrapped, having shot right after Labor Day in Los Angeles and more being shot this month in New York. The film is currently seeking distribution; Olnek’s previous films have appeared at Sundance and SXSW, so the festival route is likely.

Also staring in the film are Susan Ziegler, Amy Seimetz (The Killing), Brett Gelman (Jobs) and Sasha Frolova. Max Rifkind-Barron and Anna Margarita Albelo are producing. Shannon is repped by UTA and Framework Entertainment. Melanie is repped by Pantheon and Blue Couch Entertainment.

Hugo Weaving has signed on to the wartime biopic Hacksaw Ridge. The film tells the story of Desmond T. Doss, the first conscientious objector to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor. During World War II, Doss, a devout Seventh Day Adventist, became a medic as a means of serving without killing. Despite this, he was wounded three times and managed to save the lives of more than 75 soldiers in the Pacific theater. Weaving is playing his father, Tom Doss.

Directed by Mel Gibson, Hacksaw Ridge features an ensemble including Andrew Garfield as Doss along with Vince Vaughn, Sam Worthington, Luke Bracey, Teresa Palmer and Rachel Griffiths. The script is by Robert Schenkkan, Andrew Knight, and Randall Wallace. Filming began September 5 in New South Wales, Australia.